Ahead of Veterans Day, a new RAND report offers fresh insights into the lives of America’s veterans—their demographics, mental health, employment, education, and more.
Here are some of the key takeaways:
Veterans make up a declining share of the U.S. adult population: 6.1 percent in 2023, down from 11.7 percent in 2011.
Post-9/11 veterans represent 28.1 percent of the veteran population and are younger and more diverse than earlier cohorts. However, veterans are older and less racially and ethnically diverse than nonveterans overall.
Younger veterans face the highest burden of mental health and substance use issues. Rates often exceed those observed in nonveterans of the same age.
Veterans are generally well integrated into the civilian workforce. In fact, the veteran unemployment rate is slightly lower than that of nonveterans.
College enrollment remains lower among veterans. And many veterans who are enrolled work while attending school.
Our new report should be valuable to anyone working to support veterans. It can be used to inform policies and services that meet the evolving needs of those who served.
RAND’s Carrie Farmer, one of the institute’s codirectors, will be our guest on a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. Subscribe to the podcast now so you don’t miss it.
No newsletter on Tuesday; RAND is closed on Veterans Day. Policy Currents will be back in your inbox on Thursday, November 13.
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